Clutch plate



@ct 2, l928 gmx f@ d Hamid d@ /mk 1,685,983 H.D.CHURCH CLUTCH PLATE Filed March 29, 1926 @am @MMM Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD D. CHURCH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A SSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPORA- TION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

CLUTCH PLATE.

This invention relates to clutches and, in particular, to'clutches of the -single driven disc type., It has been designed for use in making the connection between the motor shaft and the propeller` shaft of a motor vehicle, but the use of the clutch in other relations is obviously possible and is within the contemplation of the inventor.

In clutches of the above mentioned type, it has been found desirable to eHect a gradual clutch engagement, whereby the clutch elements shall not suddenly grip, which gripping action is injurious to the clutch and the driven elements of the vehicle, and also is unpleasant for the passengers. It is for the purpose of over-coming such defects in clutch action vthat the structure of this invention has been devised.

It is an object of the invention to provide for a gradual clutch application by means which shall be simple in structure and cheap of manufacture.

A further object is to secure a gradual engagement of the clutch elements by the use of distorted discs so that the clutch shall offer a gradually increasing resistance to flattenfurther object is to make the driven disc in the form of distorted segmental members attached in a circumferential series about a hub member slidable on the end of the driven shaft.

Other objects and advantages inherent in the structure of the invention will be obvious. upon a reading of this specification in the light of the drawings associated therewith.

In the"drawing: v

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View through a single plate clutch.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are vertical sections transversely ofthe driven clutch plate and hub, showing three forms of segmental discs which may be used, the sections being indicated by lines 2-2, 3-3 and 4 4 of Figures 5, 6 and 7 respectively.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the hub and segmental discs constituting the driven member of the clutch. p

Figure 6' is an elevation of a modified form of segmental disc member.

Figure 7 shows still another modification in elevation.

Referring by reference characters to the drawing, numeral 1 represents the fiy wheel of an internal combustion motor. This fly wheelis secured tothe cranlr shaft 3 by fastenmg means 5, Secured to, but spaced lfrom, the fly wheelv by fastening means 7 1s a plate 9. The flywheel is provided with a frictional face 11 of annular form, which constitutes the driving member of the clutch.

The driven member of the clutch is slidably mounted on propeller shaft 13 by means of the splines 15. This driven member is constituted by a hub 17 attached to the outer periphery of which by bolts or rivets 18, is the annular driven member 19 of .the clutch.

Upon both faces of the driven member 19 the clutch there may be used aA lever 29 pivoted to the plate 9 at 31. At its outer most end the lever engages a bridge-member 33 carried by the pressurel plate 25. An

inward movement of the inner "end of lever 29 is produced by a movable sleeve 35. It will be seen that an inward movement of sleeve 35 rotates lever 29 clock-wise and releases the clutch. The operating means for sliding the sleeve 35 may be of any suitable for-m and are not shown.

The invention to which this application is directed is concerned more particularly with the driven clutch member. This driven clutch member is associated with the hub member 17, as stated above. The clutch member is of annular form and in each of the several modifications is made up of a series of segmental plates arranged circumferentially and is secured to the hub mem` ber 17. It will be also observed that in each of the several modifications there is a distorted .part orparts in the segmental members constituting the driven clutch ring.

Figure 5 and Figure 2 represent what we now believe to be the preferred form of distorted clutch segmental `member. This plate which may be `represented by A, C, D,

and B, has pressed from its surface a portion represented by a, e, f, d. The area represented by; b, e, f, c, constitutes a plane surface `whic vintersects the surface of the plate proper at about the line e, f,

'and diverges from said plane, its Aline of greatest'dive'rgence being at b-c. The triangular portions a, b, e, and c, d, fare also, in this preferred form, lane surfaces and unite the lane surface that the distortion in alternate plates is in opposite directions, that is' torsay, iny one p ate vthe distortion may be said to be above the plane of the figure, and in the nextplate is below the plane of the figure. Thus, in

the form of Figure 5 where four segments are shown vthere -will be two distorted parts above the plane of the figure, and two below the plane of the figure.

Figure 6 and Figure 3,. in section, show a second form in which this invention may be embodied. In this modification thesurface of the plate A, C, D, B is distorted throuvh a portion represented by h, lo, Z and m. t wi l be observed that this form is somewhat simpler than the one previously described.

sectional view of Figure 4.. In this form,

instead of providing a single distorted portionfrom each segment,.there area plurality of distorted arts in each segment, three bebrou ht into eng the passengers.

ing the num er-shown. In this form, asin the others, the distorted, portions will be al ternatel arranged on opposite sides of the plane o the disc.

With the driven clutch member of the formi described,I the distorted surfaces are first ment with the driving clutc memberan ressure plate. As the pressure of sprin i; increases upon the reease of the clutc` pedal the distorted surfaces become gradually flattened out. The clutch therefore is brought gradually into engagement instead of abruptlfy. The action i's smooth, securing safety or the motor parts and the driven parts and comfort for lI claim: 1 f -1. A clutch plate member of segmental shape having an intermediate portion in the form of a plane surface positioned at an angle to the common plane of the end portions and the inner edge.

e, f, c, with the plane of t e plate. It should also be noted 3. A clutch plate member of segmentall shape, having an intermediate distorted portion,A the distorted portion being bounded by a part of the outer edge of the plate and i by a pair of approximatel radial lines.

4i. A clutch member o segmental shape having an intermediate distorted portion, the distorted portion constituted by a plane surface at a slight angle to and intersecting the plane surface of the late adjacent its inner arc, and triangular p ane surfaces connecting said distorted surface with each of the end portions of the plate.

5. In a discclutch, a disc including a series of segmental plates circumferentially ar' ranged, one or more of said plates having end portions lying in -a common plane and having an intermediate ortion between said coplanar ends distorte from said common plane. l

.6. In a disc clutch, a disc comprised of a series of segmental plates circumferentially arranged, each of said plates having end portions lying in a common plane and a portion between said end portions distorted from said common plane.

7. A'clutch plate member of segmentaly shape having coplanar end portions and an intermediate portion bend from the common plane of said ends. l

8. A clutch member comprisinga circum-A ferentially arranged series of segmental plates, each plate having end portions lying 1n .a common plane and an intermediate portion distorted from said common plane.

9. A clutch plate member of segmental shape having end portions lying in a common lane and an intermediate portion dis`- torted) from the plane of said end portions throughout a part of its radial dimension.

A 10. A clutch plate member of segmental shape having end portions lying in a common plane and an .intermediate portionin the form of aplane surface positioned at an angle to the common plane of said end portions'.

there being a triangular section joining the intermediate portion with-each endI portion.

In testimony whereof Iv aix my signature.

HAROLD. D. CHURCH. 

